Method and apparatus for providing multiple liquid jets



C. C. PERRY Feb. 13, 1968 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE LIQUID JETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1963 INVENTOR. CHQZLES C. PEEQV United States Patent 3,368,760 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE LIQUID JETS Charles C. Perry, 106 Pleasant Place, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48100 Filed June 5, 1963, Ser. No. 285,764 8 Claims. (Cl. 239-1) This invention relates generally to liquid jets and more particularly to an improved method for providing a multiple component liquid jet. I

In the general field of liquid jets, a jet comprised of two or more liquids may be desirable for a variety of purposes. First, a jet of one liquid can be utilized for transporting one or more liquids to a desired location by disposing the liquid to be transported entirely within or on the surface of the transporting liquid. Also, the integrity or unity of a liquid jet can be implemented or maintained by coating it with a second liquid having desired characteristics such as high viscosity and/or surface tension characteristics for implementing the integrity of the liquid jet. In the latter instance, the coating liquid can also perform a protecting function with respect to the liquid in the second jet. For example, the coating liquid may protect the liquid jet from contact with the atmosphere to prevent a fluid which would otherwise react physically or chemically with the surrounding atmosphere or enveloping medium from doing so until the jet impinges upon an obstacle Where such interaction is desired. In some cases the coating may initially be in the form of a powder which would react or be dissolved by the liquid in the main jet to form a liquid, a solid, or a semi-solid, such as an elastic film. The method of this invention can also be employed to rapidly form hollow tubing in which case the coating is converted by physical or chemical interaction to the desired form. For example, the coating liquid can be of a character such that on contact with the surrounding medium in which the jet is traveling the coating is hardened. This hardening can be the result of evaporation of a solvent in the coating or heating, cooling and/or polymerization of the coating. The hardening, for example polymerization, can also be effected by providing a catalytic agent in the transporting jet so that the coating and the catalyst contact each other on application of the coating to the jet. The catalyst can be a component of the transporting jet, can constitute the entire jet or can be in a third jet interposed between the transporting jet and the coating.

In addition, two highly reactive liquids can be conducted to a location in which their reaction is desired by providing a barrier liquid between two jets of liquid containing the reactive liquids. It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved method for providing a multiple component liquid jet, for a desired purpose such as one or more of the above listed purposes, by directing a plurality of jets or streams of different liquids in a parallel relation in which the jets contact each other and at the point of contact the jets are traveling at the same velocity so that there is no mixing of the liquids and there is no momentum between the jets and so that a finite line of demarcation is maintained between the liquids at least in the vicinity of the point of initial contact of the jets and for a distance thereafter depending 'on the miscibility of the liquids.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method for obtaining multiple component liquid jets in which a plurality of different liquids are directed along parallel paths and are disposed in layer to layer contact so that at the point of initial contact of adjacent liquids the velocities of the liquids are equal and there is no mixing of the liquids.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved method for applying a second jet of liquid to a main liquid jet so that there is no mixing and no momentum transfer between the jets at the point of application of the auxiliary jet to the main jet.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view illustrating one form of apparatus for carrying out the method of this invention for coating a main liquid jet with a layer of a second material which is very thin relative to the thickness of the main jet;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, with some parts broken away and other parts shown in section for the purpose of clarity, of a second form of the apparatus for providing a multiple liquid jet in which the thicknesses of the layers of the different liquids in the jet are more nearly equal;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of another form of the apparatus for providing a multiple liquid jet in which the thicknesses of the layers of the different liquids in the jet are not widely different;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view looking substantially along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of another form of the apparatus for providing a pair of main jets of liquid which are separated by a barrier jet of liquid;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are diagrammatic illustrations of control systems for insuring the desired relative velocities of the jets in the two-liquid forms of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive; and

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view, illustrated similarly to FIGS. 6 and 7, of a control system usable with the three-liquid form of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5 for providing the same velocities in the liquid jets.

With reference to the drawing, one form of apparatus for providing a multiple liquid jet, indicated generally at 10, is shown in FIG. 1 as including a nozzle 12, which may be of any conventional construction, and an auxiliary nozzle 14 which may be either attached to or formed integral with the nozzle 12. The auxiliary nozzle 14 consists of an irregularly shaped body 16 on which a cap 18 is mounted so as to clamp a flexible diaphragm 20 to the body 16. The diaphragm 20 cooperates with a curved side 21 of the body 16 to form an annular cavity 22 which is supplied with material under pressure from a suitable source.

In the use of the apparatus 10, liquid under pressure is supplied to the nozzle 12 so as to form a liquid jet 24 issuing from the nozzle 12 at a given velocity. As used herein, the terms jet and stream are descriptive of an integral continuous body of liquid moving away from a discharge opening. The body may or may not have a circular cross section although such a shape is the most common. Liquid is supplied to the chamber 22 at a pressure sufiicient to move the diaphragm 20, which is stressed so that it normally engages the body 16 so as to close the cavity 22, away from the body 16 sufiiciently to form an annular discharge opening 28 and permit the passage of liquid, indicated at 26, out of the chamber 22 adjacent the circumferential surface of the jet 24. The pressure of the liquid supplied to the chamber 22 is such that liquid issuing from the annular discharge passage 28 formed between the diaphragm 20 and the body 16 when the diaphragm 20 flexes outwardly, is traveling at a velocity equal to the velocity of the liquid at the circumferential surface 3-0 of the jet 24. A multiple component liquid jet 32 is thus formed consisting of jet 24 and coating liquid 26.

As a result, there is no momentum transfer between the liquids 24 and 26 and no mixing of the liquids 24 and 26 at the point of application of the liquid 26 to the liquid 24, which point approximates the location of discharge opening 28. Consequently, the liquid 26 forms a coating on the liquid 24, which, if desired, may be very thin, i.e. one molecule thick, relative to the thickness of jet 24. This coating can be utilized for a number of advantageous purposes. For example, the jet 24, after it has traveled a predetermined distance dependent at least in part on the pressure of the liquid supplied to the nozzle 12, breaks up into a spray. However, if the liquid 26 has higher surface tension or viscosity characteristics than the liquid 24 it would maintain the structural integrity of jet 24 beyond the point at which the jet 24 would otherwise break up into a spray. Also the coating liquid 26 can be utilized to protect the jet 24 against contact with the atmosphere which could be undesirable in the event the jet 24 is formed of a highly volatile liquid or one which would foam or react chemically with the enveloping medium in an undesirable manner. The jet 24 can when used for fire fighting purposes, be of a character such that it will foam upon contact with air and such foaming at the fire location is desirable, In such case the coating liquid 26 is utilized to prevent premature foaming of the jet 24 prior to the time it reaches the fire.

In some instances, it may also be desirable to supply a powder to the chamber 22 and exert sufiicient pressure on the powder in the chamber 22 to force the powder out of the annular discharge opening 28 at a velocity corresponding to the velocity ofthe circumference of the jet 24. In such case, a powder is chosen which will react or cooperate with the liquid in the jet 24 so as to form a liquid, a solid or a semi-solid film or layer 26 on the surface of the jet 24. As used herein the term liquid means any non-gaseous liquid-like flowable substance and is inclusive of emulsions, dispersions, resins, colloids, suspensions, composite liquids, and the like in addition to true liquids. The single possible exception to the exclusion of gaseous fluids exists when a gas is used to propel a powder through the discharge passage 28, and in such case the gas leaves the powder and disperses in the medium surrounding jet 24 practically as soon as the powder travels out of the passage 28, so that the gas does not forma part of the jet coating. The term semisolid is used herein to define the range of conditions of materials between liquid and solid. A solid or semi-solid film will implement the integrity of the jet 24 beyond the point at which a liquid coating could function to maintain the integrity of the jet. Also, the jet 24 may be used in this manner for rapidly forming a sol-id or semi-solid tubular member from the coating 24.

In some instances, the jet 24 can also be utilized to transport small amounts of the material 26 to the desired point of use. For example the material 26 can be a fire inhibitor and can be transported on the jet 24 of water to the fire location. In such case it may be desirable to only partially coat the jet 24 with the material 26. In some instances it is also desirable to form the member 20 of a metallic-like material in which case the opening 28 is of a fixed size during a given use of the apparatus 10.

In FIG. 2, a second form of a two-liquid multiple component liquid jet apparatus is illustrated and indicated generally at 49. The apparatus 40 includes a first nozzle member 42 which has a pair of branch conduits 44 attached to or formed integral with the nozzle 42. A second nozzle 46, arranged substantially concentrically within the nozzle 42 and supported thereon on struts 48, which may be very thin or of streamline shape, is connected to a conduit 50 which is telescoped within one of the branch conduits 44. The purpose of the apparatus 40 is to provide a composite jet 52 which consists of an inner core jet 54 and an outer annular jet 56 which contacts and encircles the core jet 54.

In the use of the apparatus 40, liquid 58 is supplied to the inner nozzle 46 so that it issues therefrom in the form of the core jet 54. A second liquid 60 is supplied to the 4. outer nozzle 42 and the struts 48 act to smooth out the flow of this liquid as it travels toward nozzle 42. The liquid issues from nozzle 42 in the form of the annular jet 56, and the velocities of the jets 54 and 56, at their point 62 of application one to the other are the same. As a result, there is no mixing of the liquids in the jets 54 and 56 at the point 62 and substantial mixing of the liquids is avoided until a point downstream from the point 60 is reached at which the jets lose their momentum.

The apparatus 40 can be advantageously utilized for transporting the jet 54 to a desired point of use when contact of the jet 54 with the atmosphere prior to reaching the point of use of the jet 54 would have an undesirable effect on the jet 54. For example, the jet 54 may have a foam content such that air currents would destroy its integrity, which is avoided when the jet 54 is protected by the jet 56 which may be of a liquid such that contact with the atmosphere is not undesirable. Furthermore, the jet 56 will function to prevent contact of the jet 54 with the atmosphere when mere contact of the jet 54 with air would have an undesirable change in the characteristics of the jet 54. For example, the jet 54 may be a liquid which will foam or evaporate or react chemically or physically on contact with air. In such case, the apparatus 40 is useful in projecting the jet 54 during travel over a distance through which it could not otherwise be moved. Also the jet 56, when formed of a liquid having low thermal conductivity characteristics will act as insulation for the jet 54.

In FIG. 3 still another form of the two-liquid multiple component liquid jet apparatus of this invention is illustrated and indicated generally at 70. The apparatus 70 includes an outer nozzle 72 which is attached to or formed integral with a body 74 having a tubular portion 76 which communicates with a suitable source of liquid under pressure. The body 74 is in the form of a streamline strut which acts to straighten the liquid flowing from the tubular member 76 to the nozzle 72 and is formed with a through opening 78 in which a rotatable valve body 80, having guide vanes 81 in the passages therein, is positioned. The opening 78 on one side of the body is connected through a conduit 82 Or the like, with a source of a second liquid 84 which is likewise under a suitable pressure. The opening 78 on the opposite side of valve body 80 is connected through. a conduit 83 or the like with a liquid different from the liquid 84 and which may be the same liquid supplied to the tubular member 76. In the position of the valve body illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid 84 is free to flow through the valve body 80 and thence through an inner nozzle 86 which is likewise formed as an attachment for or integral with the body 74. In a second position of the valve body 80, moved about ninety degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 3, communication of the liquid 84 with the nozzle 86 is blocked at the valve 80, and the nozzle 86 is communicated with liquid from the conduit 83.

In the use of the apparatus 70, a multiple component liquid jet 88 is formed which includes a core jet 90 of one liquid and an outer annular jet 92 of a different liquid which surrounds the core jet 90. The multiple liquid jet 88 is obtained by first supplying the desired liquid to the tubular member 76, when the valve 80 is in its closed position preventing flow of liquid 84 to the nozzle 86, to form jet 92. The same or a different liquid is at this time also supplied to the conduit 83 to fill the core of jet 92. The valve 80 is then rotated to its position illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to form the core jet 90 within the annular jet 92, with the outer end of jet 90 covered by the liquid supplied to conduit 83 so as to prevent contact of the outer end of jet 92 with the surrounding atmosphere or medium. The pressures on the liquids which form the jets 90 and 92 are adjusted, as explained hereinafter in detail, so that at the point of application 94 of the jets to each other, the jets are traveling at the same velocity. The apparatus 70 is thus particularly adapted for situations in which the outer end of jet 92 must be prevented from contact with the surrounding medium because the liquid in jet 92 is highly reactive.

In FIG. 5, a form of apparatus for obtaining a threeliquid multiple liquid jet is illustrated and indicated generally at 100. The apparatus 100 is capable of providing a three-liquid jet 102 which consists of an inner or core jet 104, an outer enclosing jet 106, and a barrier jet 108 disposed between and preventing contact of the jets 104 and 106. The apparatus 100 consists of a hollow conduit 109 which is supplied with a desired liquid for forming the jet 106 and which terminates at one end in a nozzle 110. A streamline strut 112 in the conduit 109 is formed on one side with a nozzle 114 which is in liquid communication with a tubular conduit 116 disposed on the opposite side of the strut 112. Liquid under pressure is supplied through the tubular member 116 to the nozzle 114 so as to form the core jet 104. An annular cavity 118 formed within the nozzle 114 communicates through a passage 120 in the strut 112 with a source of a third liquid under pressure which forms the barrier jet 108. A third nozzle 122 having an annular discharge opening 124 is formed within the nozzle 114.

In the use of the apparatus 100, a first liquid is supplied to the nozzle 110 so as to form the enclosing jet 106, a second liquid is supplied to the nozzle 114 so as to form the core jet 104 and a third liquid is supplied through the passage 120 to the cavity 118 so that it issues from the nozzle opening 124 to form the barrier jet 108 which separates the jets 104 and 106. At the point of application of the barrier jet 108 to the core jet 104, which point corresponds to the opening 124, the jets 104 and 108 are traveling at the same velocity. Likewise, at the point of application of the jet 106 to the barrier jet 108, the jets 106 and 108 are traveling at the same speed.

The apparatus 100 is usable for a variety of purposes. For example, in the event the liquids which comprise the jets 104 and 106 are reactive and their reaction is desired at a point remote from the apparatus 100, the barrier jet 108 functions to maintain the liquids in the jets 104 and 106 out of contact with each other until they reach the desired point of reaction. The liquid which comprises the jet 108 in such case is nonreactive with both the liquids which comprise the jets 104 and 106 and might also function to maintain the structural integrity of the jet 104. It is to be understood that while a maximum of three liquids in a single jet have been illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, this number may be increased merely by providing additional nozzles, when the purposes of the jets are best accomplished by adding still more liquids.

Several systems are illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, inclusive, for regulating the velocities of the different liquids in the multiple component liquid jets illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 so that at the initial point of contact of liquids which contact each other, they are traveling at the same velocity. The contact of the liquids at the same velocity prevents mixing of the liquids, prevents any transfer of momentum between the liquids, and provides for at least an initial finite line of demarcation between the liquids. The system illustrated-in FIG. 6, and indicated generally at 130, is illustrated applied to the apparatus 10, but it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to any other two-liquid multiple component liquid jet device such as the ones shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The system includes a conduit A which supplies the liquid 26 to the cavity 22 and a conduit B which supplies the liquid which forms the jet 24. A meter unit 132 which may be in the form of a pressure gauge or a flow meter, such as a meter of venturi type, is installed in the conduit A in series with a manual valve 134. A similar meter 136 is installed in the conduit B in series with a manual valve 138. Once the area of the outlet opening in the nozzle 12 is ascertained, and the area of the outlet opening 28 necessary to provide the desired thickness of the liquid layer 26 on the jet 24 is ascertained, the readings on the meters 132 and 136 necessary to obtain equal velocities of the jet 24 and the liquid 26 at the point of application of the liquid 26 to the jet 24 is readily computed. The valves 134 and 138 are then manually adjusted to obtain these readings on the meters 132 and 136. The system is readily adapted to a three or more liquid multiple jet apparatus by merely increasing the number of valves and meters. The meters 132 and 136 may also be incorporated in a single gauge or meter unit connected to conduits A and B so as to indicate relative pressures in conduits A and B.

The system illustrated in FIG. 7, indicated generally by the numeral 140, accomplishes the same result that is accomplished with the system 130 but accomplishes it automatically. The system 140 is also illustrated as applied to the apparatus 10 but it is to be understood that it is equally adaptable to the devices shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The system 140 includes conduits A and B which supply liquid to the apparatus 10 and includes meters 142 and 144 like the meter 132 described above. A manual valve 146 is interposed in the conduit B and an automatic regulating valve 148 is interposed in the line A and connected to a pressure comparator 150, of well known construction, which is also connected to the meters 142 and 144. The comparator 150 is suitably connected to meters 142 and 144 and functions to compare the parameters (related to liquid velocities) measured by the meters 142 and 144 and to actuate the regulating valve 148 in accordance with the comparison of these parameters so as to maintain a predetermined desired relationship between the velocities of the liquids in the lines A and B. This desired relationship is computed to provide for equal velocities of the liquid 26 and the jet 24. The valve 146 is adjusted to provide the desired flow rate. The meters 142 and 144, the regulator valve 148 and the comparator 150 may also be incorporated in a single unit suitably connected to conduits A and B.

In FIG. 8 a system is illustrated which is applicable to the three-liquid apparatus 100 so as to automatically regulate the velocities of the jets 104, 106 and 108 to maintain equal velocities of the jets. The system 160 includes a conduit A which supplies the liquid which forms the jet 104, a conduit B which supplies the liquid that forms the jet 106, and a conduit C which supplies the liquid that forms the jet 108. A meter 162 is interposed in the conduit A in series relation with a manual valve 164. A pressure comparator 166, connected to the meter 162 for actuation thereby, is connected to a pressure regulated valve in the conduit C. The comparator 166 is preset so that it adjusts the valves 168 and 170, in response to actuation by the meter 162, so as to maintain the jets 104, 106 and 108 of equal velocities. The manual valve 164 is adjusted to maintain the desired flow through the conduit A. The desired setting of the comparator 166 is computed once the areas of the discharge outlets of the jets 104, 106 and 108 is known so as to maintain the desired velocities of the jets. Additional meters 172 and 174 are illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 8 in the conduits B and C for the purpose of illustrating that separate meters for the pressure comparator 166 may, if desired, be installed in the lines A, B, and C, or structure for accomplishing the functions of the meters 172 and 174 can be incorporated in the comparator 166 and/or the valves 168 and 170.

It will be understood that the methods for providing multiple liquid jets which are herein disclosed and described are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and are not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of coating a liquid jet with a different liquid comprising:

(a) forming a jet of a first liquid having a circumferential surface moving at a certain velocity; and

(b) applying a coating liquid to said surface traveling at substantially said certain velocity at the point of application thereof to said surface so as to coat said jet with said coating liquid, said jet being of a substantially greater thickness than the liquid coating formed thereon.

2. The method of providing a multiple liquid jet comprising:

(a) forming a jet of a first liquid having a circumferential surface moving at a certain velocity; and

(b) applying a second liquid to said surface traveling at substantially said certain velocity so as to coat said first liquid with said second liquid.

3. The method of providing a multiple liquid jet comprising:

(a) forming a jet of a first liquid having a circumferential surface moving at a certain velocity;

(b) forming a stream of a second liquid;

(c) directing said stream so that it is parallel to and in contact with substantially said entire circumferential surface; and

(d) regulating the velocities of said jet and stream so that on initial contact thereof they are moving at the same velocity.

4. The method of providing a multiple component liquid jet which comprises projecting a plurality of concentric streams of different liquids so that adjacent ones of said streams are in contact with each other and are traveling at the same velocity at the point of initial contact thereof with each other.

5. The method of transporting a first liquid Within a second liquid in a manner such that said first liquid is prevented from contacting the enveloping medium in which said second liquid is traveling, comprising projecting an annular stream of said second liquid, forming a liquid core in said annular stream so as to form a cylindrical body of liquid, thereafter projecting a stream of said second liquid adjacent said core liquid and completely filling the core within said annular stream of said second liquid, and regulating the velocities of said streams so that on initial contact of said streams with each other they are parallel and are traveling at the same velocity.

6. The method of transporting a first liquid by means of a second liquid comprising providing a jet of said second liquid, applying a jet of said first liquid disposed within and parallel to said jet of said second liquid, and regulating the velocities of said jets so that on initial contact of said jets said liquids are traveling at the same velocity in the same direction.

7. The method of transporting small quantities of a first liquid comprising providing a jet of a second liquid the outer surface of which is traveling at a predetermined velocity, and applying small quantities of said first liquid to said outer surface of said jet of said second liquid by propelling said first liquid in a direction parallel to said jet surface and at a position adjacent said surface so that said first liquid contacts said jet surface while traveling at the same velocity as said jet surface.

8. The method of providing a multiple liquid jet comprising providing a jet of a first liquid traveling in a predetermined direction, providing a jet of a second liquid traveling in the same direction, arranging said jets so that they are in contact with a finite line of demarcation therebetween and one is enclosed within the other, and comparing and regulating the pressure of the fluids which form said jets so as to maintain the velocities of said jets at the point of initial contact of said jets so that they are traveling at the same velocity.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,408,664 10/1946 Lloyd 239-424 2,537,119 1/1951 Bauerlein et al. 239-4164 2,919,836 1/1960 Limpert 239-424 2,392,408 1/1946 Radonich 239-1 2,532,554 12/1950 Joeok 239-1 3,180,909 4/ 1965 Loosey 264- 3,196,194 6/1965 Ely et al 264-95 2,851,307 9/1958 Sedlacsik 239-424 3,026,048 3/1962 Gascoigne et al. 239-424 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF COATING A LIQUID JET WITH A DIFFERENT LIQUID COMPRISING: (A) FORMING A JET OF A FIRST LIQUID HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE MOVING AT A CERTAIN VELOCITY; AND (B) APPLYING A COATING LIQUID TO SAID SURFACE TRAVELING AT SUBSTANTIALLY SAID CERTAIN VELOCITY AT THE POINT OF APPLICATION THEREOF TO SAID SURFACE SO AS TO COAT SAID JET WITH SAID COATING LIQUID, SAID JET BEING OF A SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THICKNESS THAN THE LIQUID COATING FORMED THEREON. 